Former India National Cricket Team head coach Ravi Shastri has named his India’s playing XI for the upcoming first of the five-match T20I series against South Africa. The first T20I match between the Indian cricket team and Temba Bavuma-led South Africa will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on June 9. In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team will be led by KL Rahul.
Ahead of the series, while speaking on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Ravi Shastri revealed his playing XI for Team India for the first t20I. While he said many surprising names, but he didn’t include Dinesh Karthik, who recently impressed everyone with his stellar performances in the recently-concluded 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Ravi Shastri Named His Playing XI For 1st IND vs SA T20I
Shastri named Ruturaj Gaikwad as the opening partner of KL Rahul, while naming Ishan Kishan at no.3. He said:
“I think they will go with the guys they will want to see first – the Rahuls, the Ruturaj Gaikwads – maybe they will open. They will probably give Ishan (Kishan) a break in this game or bat him at three.”
Followed by Kishan, Ravi Shastri picked Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the next three names in his playing xi. He said:
“If you bat him (Ishan) at three, then it will be Shreyas (Iyer) at No. 4, (Rishabh) Pant at No. 5 and Hardik (Pandya) at No. 6.”
Further, Ravi Shastri picked Axar Patel alongwith Yuzvendra Chahal as the spin-duo in his team, while adding Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel as the pacers. He also made it clear that amongst the newcomers — Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik, only one will get the opportunity to play as per the conditions. He said:
“No. 7 will be Axar Patel. I think eight will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar batting-wise, then Chahal, Arshdeep Singh/Umran Malik and Harshal Patel. Umran or Arshdeep depending on the ground and what the pitch is like.
“I think if Bhuvi plays, then Umran is better because Bhuvi can do a job for you at the death. But then again you are looking for someone at the death, they are looking to develop that bowler. So if Harshal is going to do that, he plays that game.”
Ravi Shastri’s India XI for the 1st T20I:
KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh/Umran Malik, Harshal Patel.
